[A.A. Cunningham]

[DemforBush]

This is great news!

[Recon Dad]

All the above objectives for the Osprey are based on their ability to stay aloft. They have made no mention or I missed it, but I have not heard if the Osprey has been cleared to carry Marines in the copter configuration?

[PeteB570]

Forgive me if I just offer my personal opinion.

There is just something about the Osprey that just ain't natural.

I got a bad feeling in my bones about it.

[Tribune7]

Jobs in Ridley Park ping

[Paleo Conservative]

If you want on or off the aerospace ping list, please contact me by Freep mail.">

[Boundless]

> The Osprey can deliver Marines to battle more safely, ...

Debatable. Jumping in is safer than the MV-22, based on
it's record to date. The MV-22 might become safer than
parachutes and existing helos, but it will have to prove
it by building a record.

> ... bring them reinforcements over greater distances in
> greater numbers, ...

Debatable.

> ... and evacuate wounded more quickly.

True, and that points to the real advantage of this thing,
(if it can establish a credible safety record). It can
exfil (not just wounded) faster than anything else in
the inventory. Ideal for quick-turnaround missions at a
distance.

[leadpenny]

This is great if we need to get troops from New River to Farnbourgh, but when will it carry a squad of Marines from Kandahar into mountains that border Pakistan?

[G Larry]

This is only one of many examples where congress has pretended they were engineers, and dictated either designs or whole programs, with the sole purpose of bringing jobs home and buying votes.
DoD would have bagged this program a long time ago!

My other favorite example is the Space Shuttle, with it's recycled parts. Congress liked the idea of recycling because of it's PR value. Aerospace engineers would have never recommended that approach as being most efficient and cost effective.

[FreedomPoster]

The one thing that concerns me, is the lack of side-door MGs to help handle hot LZs. That sort of thing seemed not-uncommon, from the accounts of the march up to Baghdad, that I have read.

[SC Swamp Fox]

I am glad to see the V-22 is finally being implemented.

I have to admit, when I first saw drawings for this Aircraft in the Navy Times back in '92 I thought they had made an obvious mistake...it can't land and take off with it's engines horizontal.

I am surprised and disappointed at how many FReepers keep tossing out old, long refuted arguments against the V-22.